"I Love You" Without Sexual Intent Not Sexual Harassment : Chhattisgarh High Court

Case Name: State v Rupendra Das Manikpuri

Date of Hearing: July 22, 2025

Summary of Case: Rupendra Das Manikpuri was accused of telling "I love you" to a 15-year-old girl while she was returning from school, with prior allegations of harassment. An FIR was registered against him under Sections 354D (stalking) and 509 (outrage of modesty) of the Indian Penal Code, Section 8 (sexual assault) of the POCSO Act, and Section 3(2)(va) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. The trial court acquitted Manikpuri due to lack of evidence, leading the State to appeal to the High Court.

High Court Observation: The Chhattisgarh High Court observed that merely saying "I love you" to a minor girl does not amount to sexual harassment under Section 7 of the POCSO Act unless it is accompanied by 'sexual intent'. The Court found that Manikpuri's act was a solitary expression of love and not made with sexual desire. It noted that neither the victim's testimony nor that of her friends indicated any sexual intent, nor did her written complaint or testimony show that she had expressed disinterest in his advances. The Court also found no evidence of obscene language for the Section 509 IPC charge, and no evidence that the accused was aware of the victim's caste for the SC/ST Act charge.

High Court Remarks: The High Court upheld the acquittal of Rupendra Das Manikpuri, dismissing the State's appeal. It stated that the alleged expression of "I love you" alone would not constitute "sexual assault" as provided under Section 7 of the POCSO Act, as none of the ingredients for the alleged crime were established. The Court also acquitted him of the charge under Section 354-D of the IPC, noting the lack of expressed disinterest from the prosecutrix.

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